Inviato: noun (Italian) envoy, correspondent, messenger. Inviato offers an experty curated selection of the best places to stay over the globe, providing authentic insider luxury hotel reviews, sneak peeks at the hottest new hotel openings and access to special VIP amenities and rates. That makes us your hotel insider.

Postcard from: Faena Hotel, Buenos Aires

Wednesday January 20 2016

The eccentric/hip design, attentive service and trendy location of the Faena Hotel made it a perfect one night stay for us at the end our week-long family vacation in Buenos Aires and Patagonia over the Christmas holiday. During our first few days in Buenos Aires (where we stayed at the divine Park Hyatt), we had the opportunity to tour the Puerto Madero district and take a peak inside the Faena, just steps from the waterfront. Impressed by the sumptuous and chic Phillipe-Starck interiors, we booked our last night there on the spot. We thought it would be an interesting contrast from the Park Hyatt in the Recoleta district for our last evening in Buenos Aires.

Where: Faena Hotel, Buenos Aires

What: Hip Hotel in the Puerto Madero neighborhood

Who: The Goldstein Family

When: January 2015

Why: One night stay

We arrived at the Faena Hotel in the evening after our two-hour flight back from Bariloche (read the review of Llao Llao here). We were greeted by very friendly staff, who quickly escorted to a pretty, spacious and bright (in contrast to the dark and sultry public spaces) room overlooking the riverfront. We walked to a nearby Italian restaurant along the Puerto Madero that was recommended by the concierge – that was a home run for us! If only I could remember the name.

Premier Park View Room

Despite the little time we had, we were eager to relax in the sun after chilly weather in Patagonia. The small but delightful pool and deck area (complete with a young, hip-looking crowd) located at the front of the hotel was a welcome respite from the heat in the city. With only a few hours before we had to catch our flight home, it was a haven allowing us to take a brief swim, lounge in the hot sun and enjoy some people-watching before we ended our Argentinian experience. We even squeezed in a quick workout, followed by time in their hammam.

The abundant buffet breakfast in cantina-style El Mercado (a beautiful exposed brick room with wooden tables, filled with art and antiques from Argentina) was exceptional. Lots of breads/pastries, fresh fruit, chorizo with eggs prepared a multitude of ways, and crepes and waffles made in their adobe oven.

There is a yoga studio as well as a private dance studio where you can take in private tango lessons but unfortunately we didn’t have the time to get on our dancing shoes. We really needed another night there to take advantage all that the Faena had to offer, such as the swanky Library Lounge, the tango performances at the on-site theater, El Cabaret or unicorn-adorned restaurant, El Bistro.

While I wouldn’t necessarily recommend the hotel or location for families staying in town for a few days (Recoleta, where the Park Hyatt and Alvear Palace are located, is more central with plenty of shopping, restaurants and cultural offerings), it is a terrific and unique alternative for a one-night stay before moving on to other destinations in Argentina or Uruguay. Our stay was short but sweet!

LET US TAKE YOU AWAY!

Inviato Travel is an ASTA-member and an independent affiliate with NYC-based Classic Travel, a globally recognized Virtuoso* member travel agency, to give our readers access to the BEST perks, amenities and rates at the top luxury hotels, cruises and tours in the world, at no fee. You can book over 2,000 luxury hotels and resorts in 80 countries online, through Inviato directly via email at jackie@inviatotravel.com or phone or through any Classic Travel's other experienced luxury travel consultants.

Why book Virtuoso?

Personalized travel assistance

24/7 online booking

Access to preferred rates & exclusive offers

Guaranteed Room upgrade (based on availability)

Complimentary full American breakfast

Early check-in, Late check-out (based on availability)

Exclusive on-site Virtuoso amenities (varies by hotel)

Book a Hotel:

* Virtuoso is a 'membership by-invitation only' travel network of the leading travel advisors and partners. Booking through a Virtuoso agency provides you special rates and amenities at the top luxury travel brands including: